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Ōtorohanga

Coordinates:38°11′S175°12′E/ 38.183°S 175.200°E/-38.183; 175.200
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Front of Otorohanga Kiwi House
Front of Otorohanga Kiwi House

Ōtorohanga
Corrugated Iron Kiwi in Ōtorohanga
Corrugated Iron Kiwi in Ōtorohanga
Map
Coordinates:38°11′S175°12′E/ 38.183°S 175.200°E/-38.183; 175.200
CountryNew Zealand
RegionWaikatoregion
DistrictŌtorohanga District
WardŌtorohanga Ward
CommunityŌtorohanga Community
Electorates
Government
• Territorial AuthorityŌtorohanga District Council
• Regional councilWaikato Regional Council
•MayorMax Baxter
Area
[1]
• Total5.07 km2(1.96 sq mi)
Population
(June 2023)[2]
• Total3,320
• Density650/km2(1,700/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+12(NZST)
• Summer (DST)UTC+13(NZDT)
Postcode
3900
Area code07

Ōtorohangais a northKing Countrytown in theWaikatoregion in theNorth Islandof New Zealand. It is located 53 kilometres (33 mi) south ofHamiltonand 18 kilometres (11 mi) north ofTe Kūiti,on theWaipā River.It is a service town for the surroundingdairy-farmingdistrict. It is recognised as the "gateway" to theWaitomo Cavesand as the "KiwianaTown "of New Zealand. Until 2007, Ōtorohanga held a yearly 'Kiwiana Festival.'[3]

History[edit]

War memorials in Ōtorohanga

Early history[edit]

Until the 1860s Ōtorohanga was aNgāti Maniapotovillage, with severalwhare(houses), peach trees and a flour mill.[4]Huipūtea is a 300-year-oldkahikateatree, just to the south east of Ōtorohanga,[5]which was the site of a skirmish in 1822 between Ngāti Maniapoto andNgāpuhi.[6]The village was abandoned after theinvasion of the Waikato,except for Lewis Hettit's (or Hetet)[4]farm.[7]The area remained insecure, with Hettit's store being robbed byTe Kooti[8]in 1869,[9]but a meeting withDonald McLeanlater that year signalled moves towards peace.[10]

John William Ellisbecame postmaster and opened a store in 1885[11]withHenry Valder[12]and John Taonui Hetet.[13]In 1886 Ngāti Maniopoto built a court room for theNative Land Court[14]and from that year mail was delivered 3 times a month[15]and disputes which had delayed development[16]were settled.[17]On 9 March 1887 the railway was extended 14 mi (23 km) fromTe Awamutu[18]and a 14-room[19]hotel was built, primarily for those attending the Court.[20]The sawmill, later run byEllis and Burnand,started in 1890[21]and closed in 1912.[22]

Modern history[edit]

In the early 1900s many businesses were established by Māori, in particular John Ormsby (Hōne Ōmipi).[23]The Otorohanga Times was formed in 1912; it merged with the King Country Chronicle to form the Waitomo News in 1980.[24]McDonald’s began a limestone quarry south of Otorohanga in 1968,[25]which was bought byGraymontin 2015.[26]

Otorohanga’s population grew from 367 in 1916 to 1,569 in 1951, after which growth slowed. Although population dropped from 2,652 in 1991 and to 2,514 in 2013, the fall was much less than in the rest of King Country.[23]

Harrodsville[edit]

In 1986, the town briefly changed its name to "Harrodsville". This was a protest in support of a restaurateur, Henry Harrod of Palmerston North, who was being forced to change the name of his restaurant following the threat of lawsuits fromMohamed Al-Fayed,the then owner ofHarrod'sdepartment store inLondon.[27][28]

As a show of solidarity for Henry Harrod, and in anticipation of actions against other similar-sounding businesses, it was proposed that every business in Otorohanga change its name to "Harrods". With the support of the District Council, Otorohanga temporarily changed the town's name to Harrodsville.

After being lampooned in the Britishtabloids,Al Fayed dropped the legal action and Harrodsville and its shops reverted to their former names. The town's response raised widespread media interest around the world, with theBBC World Serviceand newspapers in Greece, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Canada covering the story.

Floods[edit]

Ōtorohanga is built on the Waipā's flood plain,[29]but is largely protected bystop banksbuilt between 1961 and 1966,[30]following a major flood in 1958.[31]However, in 2004 Ōtorohanga Primary was flooded by about 0.6 m (2 ft 0 in) of water[32]and children were temporarily transferred to the then recently closed Tihiroa Primary School,[33]about 12 km (7.5 mi) north of Ōtorohanga onSH31.[34]In 1907 the whole town was flooded.[35]Houses were also flooded in 1893[36]and 1926.[37]

Local government[edit]

Ōtorohanga is part of theŌtorohanga District,which stretches fromKawhia Harbouron the west coast inland to thePureora Forest Park.The town is the largest in the District and the seat of the District Council.

Demographics[edit]

Ōtorohanga covers 5.07 km2(1.96 sq mi)[1]and had an estimated population of 3,320 as of June 2023,[2]with a population density of 655 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
20062,655—
20132,625−0.16%
20183,027+2.89%
Source:[38]

Ōtorohanga had a population of 3,027 at the2018 New Zealand census,an increase of 402 people (15.3%) since the2013 census,and an increase of 372 people (14.0%) since the2006 census.There were 1,101 households, comprising 1,464 males and 1,563 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.94 males per female. The median age was 37.6 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 636 people (21.0%) aged under 15 years, 615 (20.3%) aged 15 to 29, 1,185 (39.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 591 (19.5%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 67.6% European/Pākehā,40.6%Māori,2.7%Pacific peoples,5.6%Asian,and 1.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 11.3, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 51.6% had no religion, 32.3% wereChristian,3.2% hadMāori religious beliefs,1.7% wereHindu,0.1% wereMuslim,1.1% wereBuddhistand 2.3% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 255 (10.7%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 675 (28.2%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $26,700, compared with $31,800 nationally. 192 people (8.0%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 1,137 (47.6%) people were employed full-time, 363 (15.2%) were part-time, and 87 (3.6%) were unemployed.[38]

Marae[edit]

Ōtorohanga district library
1934 and 2014 Ōtorohanga maps, showing the diversions of the Waipā. In 2004 the river flooded its old course.

Sixmaraeare located in and around Ōtorohanga:

Attractions[edit]

Ōtorohanga is internationally renowned for its Kiwi House,[41]which was the first place in the world where the general public could viewkiwiin captivity,[42]and recorded an average of 5,000 visitors per month in 2008.[43]The town has a public library, a swimming complex, a supermarket and a 24-hourMcDonald'srestaurant.

Transport[edit]

Ōtorohanga is on theNorth Island Main Trunkrailway line.Otorohanga railway stationopened in 1887. TheNorthern Explorerpassenger train stops in Ōtorohanga on its service between Auckland and Wellington.

Education[edit]

Ōtorohanga School is a Year 1–8 co-educational state primary school.[44]It is adecile 2school with a roll of 60 as of February 2024.[45][46]

Ōtorohanga South School is a Year 1–8 co-educational state primary school.[47]It is adecile 4school with a roll of 300 as of February 2024.[45][48]

St Mary's Catholic School is a Year 1–8 co-educational state integrated Catholic primary school.[49]It is adecile 5school with a roll of 30 as of February 2024.[45][50]

Ōtorohanga Collegeis a Year 9–13 co-educational state secondary school and community education centre.[51][52]It is adecile 4school with a roll of 307 as of February 2024.[45][53]

References[edit]

  1. ^ab"ArcGIS Web Application".statsnz.maps.arcgis.com.Retrieved3 November2022.
  2. ^ab"Subnational population estimates (RC, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)".Statistics New Zealand.Retrieved25 October2023.(regional councils);"Subnational population estimates (TA, SA2), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)".Statistics New Zealand.Retrieved25 October2023.(territorial authorities);"Subnational population estimates (urban rural), by age and sex, at 30 June 1996-2023 (2023 boundaries)".Statistics New Zealand.Retrieved25 October2023.(urban areas)
  3. ^"Kiwiana Town – for all things" Kiwiana "".Kiwianatown.co.nz.Retrieved10 July2015.
  4. ^ab"Presentation to Mr and Mrs J. T. Hetet".Waikato Times.14 April 1906. p. 3.Retrieved23 March2018.
  5. ^"Huiputea Historic Tree".Google Maps.2019.Retrieved11 May2021.
  6. ^Faulknor, Janine (1 March 2015)."Huipūtea, a landmark tree".teara.govt.nz.Retrieved11 May2021.
  7. ^"Sketches in the King Country".The New Zealand Herald.26 May 1883. p. 1.Retrieved23 March2018.
  8. ^"Chapter xvi. — Colonel Whitmore".nzetc.victoria.ac.nz.Retrieved23 March2018.
  9. ^"Hettit's Store Plundered by Te Kooti. [from the Southern Cross, July 22.]".Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle.28 July 1869. p. 4.Retrieved23 March2018.
  10. ^"Waikato".Hawke's Bay Herald.19 November 1869. p. 3.Retrieved24 March2018.
  11. ^Cleaver, Philip (February 2011)."Maori and the Forestry, Mining, Fishing, and Tourism Industries of the Rohe Potae Inquiry District 1880-2000"(PDF).Waitangi Tribunal.
  12. ^"Otorohanga's Past".Auckland Star.12 March 1926. p. 12.Retrieved16 February2018.
  13. ^"Presentation to Mr and Mrs J. T. Hetet".Waikato Times.14 April 1906. p. 3.Retrieved16 February2018.
  14. ^James Stuart Mitchell, Paul Husbands (November 2011)."The Native Land Court, land titles and Crown land purchasing in the Rohe Potae district, 1866-1907 A report for the Te Rohe Potae district inquiry (Wai 898)"(PDF).Waitangi Tribunal.
  15. ^"Page 3 Advertisements Column 5".Auckland Star.17 September 1886. p. 3.Retrieved23 March2018.
  16. ^"Another Native Difficulty. Te Wetere Stops the Way. Affairs at Otorohanga".Waikato Times.29 July 1886. p. 2.Retrieved23 March2018.
  17. ^"Tee King Country".The New Zealand Herald.2 August 1886. p. 6.Retrieved23 March2018.
  18. ^"Waikato Times".8 March 1887. p. 2.Retrieved23 March2018.
  19. ^"Waikato District News".The New Zealand Herald.28 April 1887. p. 6.Retrieved23 March2018.
  20. ^"Page 3 Advertisements Column 5".Waikato Times.17 September 1887. p. 3.Retrieved23 March2018.
  21. ^"Country News".The New Zealand Herald.3 October 1890. p. 6.Retrieved16 February2018.
  22. ^Ellis and Burnand Limited; Mccracken, A.E."1953 jubilee year: half a century of progress in the timber industry of New Zealand, 1903-1953. | National Library of New Zealand".natlib.govt.nz.Retrieved22 May2018.
  23. ^abTaonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu."2. – King Country places – Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand".teara.govt.nz.Retrieved23 March2018.
  24. ^Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu."Otorohanga Times, around 1912".teara.govt.nz.Retrieved23 March2018.
  25. ^Cleaver, Philip (February 2011)."Maori and the Forestry, Mining, Fishing, and Tourism Industries of the Rohe Potae Inquiry District 1880-2000"(PDF).Waitangi Tribunal.
  26. ^"Graymont || About Us".www.onlime.co.nz.Retrieved24 March2018.
  27. ^"Chatological Humor (Updated 11.16.07)".Washingtonpost.com.Retrieved10 July2015.
  28. ^"New Zealand: Small Town Shops Face Legal Action from Harrods Lawyers in London".Itnsource.com.Retrieved10 July2015.
  29. ^"Otorohanga Floods".23 May 2008.Retrieved11 July2021– via PressReader.
  30. ^"Otorohanga Flood Protection Works".www.archway.archives.govt.nz.Retrieved11 July2021.
  31. ^Marsh, Dawn."1958 Flood".ketekingcountry.peoplesnetworknz.info.Retrieved11 July2021.
  32. ^"Waipā River – Otorohanga Primary School Modelling"(PDF).Environment Waikato.1 February 2006.
  33. ^"River delivers a flood reprieve".The New Zealand Herald.2 March 2004.Retrieved11 July2021.
  34. ^"1:50000 map Sheet: S15 Te Awamutu".www.mapspast.org.nz.1997.Retrieved11 July2021.
  35. ^"A WHOLE TOWNSHIP FLOODED. MARLBOROUGH EXPRESS".paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.16 January 1907.Retrieved11 July2021.
  36. ^"HEAVY FLOODS IN THE WAIPA DISTRICT. AUCKLAND STAR".paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.18 January 1893.Retrieved11 July2021.
  37. ^"a badly inundated section of Otorohanga township. Auckland Star".paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.14 October 1926.Retrieved11 July2021.
  38. ^ab"Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census".Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Otorohanga (185500).2018 Census place summary: Otorohanga
  39. ^"Te Kāhui Māngai directory".tkm.govt.nz.Te Puni Kōkiri.
  40. ^"Māori Maps".maorimaps.com.Te Potiki National Trust.
  41. ^Otorohanga Zoological Society Inc."Best place to see kiwi - Otorohanga, New Zealand".Kiwihouse.org.nz.Retrieved10 July2015.
  42. ^Otorohanga Zoological Society Inc."First New Zealand Kiwi House Otorohanga NZ".Kiwihouse.org.nz.Retrieved10 July2015.
  43. ^"Kiwi House Review: No. 42"(PDF).Kiwihouse.org.nz. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 11 March 2012.Retrieved10 July2015.
  44. ^"Ministry of Education School Profile".educationcounts.govt.nz.Ministry of Education.
  45. ^abcd"New Zealand Schools Directory".New Zealand Ministry of Education.Retrieved14 March2024.
  46. ^"Education Review Office Report".ero.govt.nz.Education Review Office.
  47. ^"Ministry of Education School Profile".educationcounts.govt.nz.Ministry of Education.
  48. ^"Education Review Office Report".ero.govt.nz.Education Review Office.
  49. ^"Ministry of Education School Profile".educationcounts.govt.nz.Ministry of Education.
  50. ^"Education Review Office Report".ero.govt.nz.Education Review Office.
  51. ^"Official School Website".otocoll.school.nz.
  52. ^"Ministry of Education School Profile".educationcounts.govt.nz.Ministry of Education.
  53. ^"Education Review Office Report".ero.govt.nz.Education Review Office.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ōtorohanga&oldid=1226960327"